Memories of BYUH basketball

Courtside Memories

Three members of the BYU–Hawaii men’s basketball program share memories and experiences from the golden days

As BYU–Hawaii celebrates a centennial since the flag-raising ceremony with President David O. McKay, former players and coaches of the BYUH men’s basketball team said the program helped to unite the community and fulfill President McKay’s vision to produce students who were genuine gold. They explained how the legacy of the program continues on in those who were a part of it.

The equivalent of peanut butter and jelly

Anthony Pickard, director of Campus Safety & Security, played on the school’s first men’s basketball team and explained, “People had an opportunity to receive an education and be enlightened by each other.” He said he was given the chance by the athletics director, Norman Kaluhiokalani, who offered Pickard a scholarship.

“I really did not know about the athletics program, but I remember visiting campus and thinking I could come to BYU–Hawaii, play basketball and end up transferring,” he recalled. Pickard added he originally wanted to play football at a small college in Oregon, but basketball was his passion.

Hiram Akina, the current head coach at Provo High School, also received a scholarship to join the first BYUH basketball team, despite not having been in high school for nine years. “I remember I first talked about going to BYUH in 1976 with the coach for the Navy team in my competitive league,” Akina recalled. “It was my dream to go to BYUH and get a degree because I wanted to become a coach.”

Akina said when he and Pickard joined the team, they immediately clicked. “He was the total teammate. We knew each other’s actions, strengths and weaknesses, all because of our chemistry.” Akina said he wished players would model the kind of chemistry they had.

Pickard said their chemistry helped because their team was mostly composed of walk-ins and players from different sports. “We didn’t really have a lot of talent, so I scored a lot,” he recalled. An article from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, formerly the Honolulu Advertiser, said Pickard was the top scorer in the Oahu Basketball Conference as a freshman, which included a game-high of 65 points.

Akina explained how Pickard was a student of the game, and said he always knew where to be. “If I stole the ball and went on a fast break, he would always be trailing behind me for a drop pass.” He added after games, Pickard’s parents would invite Akina to eat with them, counseling him to save his money for more important things. “That’s what kind of teammate he was, and I still consider him a dear friend.”

“Playing here has made me what I am”

Brandyn Akana, athletics director and current head coach of the Kahuku High School boys’ basketball team, was involved in the BYUH men’s basketball program for 10 years before working at the University of Hawaii and then Kahuku High School. “For me, playing [at BYUH] has made me what I am,” Akana said.

Akana explained he was recruited from Molokai High School by former BYUH men’s basketball coach, Ken Wagner. “I did not have the greatest grades in high school, and no one really noticed players from Molokai,” he recalled. “But Coach Wagner gave me a chance to prove myself.”

Akana said he credits Wagner’s staff for encouraging him to improve both academically and physically. “The year before [I was there], the team had made it to the NAIA final four, so they were a big program,” he recalled. Akana added he played many minutes as a freshman, like Pickard and Akina, where “most never get an opportunity.” He also said the encouragement from his teammates and coaches earned him NAIA all-American honors as a senior.

Akana said he never forgot the support he had from fellow students and teachers. “BYU–Hawaii gave me an opportunity to connect with people from around the world which allowed me to flourish both physically and academically,” he said. Akana noted that being a player, and later a coach, gave him a more complete experience. “I not only was a studentathlete, but I was also able to recruit students that were a great fit for the University from all over the world,” he said.

Akana shared about the opportunity he had to have basketball camps abroad, with several stops in the South Pacific and Asia, including China for an exhibition tour, with BYUH and later for the University of Hawaii. For Akana, he said the most notable stop was in Israel. He recalled, while doing basketball camps there, he got to visit Gethsemane and some of the sites Church members often discuss. “That all came because of my experience playing and coaching [at BYUH].”

When the athletics program ended in 2017, Akana said a piece of his heart went away, but he knew it was for the better. “We had to trust it was Heavenly Father’s plan for us, so we started the intramural program to restore identity to the University.” Since then, he said the intramural program has grown tremendously, calling it an integral part of the experience at BYUH. He said the department, called Seasider Sports and Activities, which he manages, added symbols of that growth that include the new fitness studio and turf field set to open in the first quarter of 2021, according to BYUH’s Orange Cone webpage.

Left: Pickard and Akina said they played Ralph Sampson during their time with the BYUH's basketball team. Photo provided by BYUH Archives.

Just as Akana trusted the end of intercollegiate athletics at BYUH was Heavenly Father’s plan, Akina said he trusted basketball would give him a way to change his life. “I was not really into academics, but I knew I had to get straightened out. I always knew I would get my degree. That would be the end result, but I would not have come here without basketball.”

Akina said basketball was the main reason Heavenly Father brought him to BYUH. “I had to go through this path,” he said. “It was written up for me, and I don’t know where I would be without it.”

The legacy continues

Pickard and Akina both said their careers gave them great memories. They recalled when the University of Virginia, one of the best teams in college basketball, came to play the young program in 1979. Akina recalled players seeking autographs before the game from Ralph Sampson, who was the best player in college basketball at the time. “The atmosphere was like a carnival. Playing against Ralph Sampson today is like getting ready to play against LeBron James. I had to get players back into the locker room to get them focused on the game.” However, once the game started, Akina said the energy was evident. “Obviously, the focus was on Ralph Sampson, but we weren’t going down without a fight. It was a battle.”

Then in 1980, Akina and Pickard recalled practicing against legendary head coach Bob Knight and Indiana in preparation for their appearance in the Kraft Rainbow Classic, hosted by the University of Hawaii. “I remember watching how efficient and smooth their offense worked,” Pickard said.

Akina recalled one particular instance when practice was intense. “We did not want to back down, and it made us more competitive,” he said. He added the practice got to the point where players had to be separated and Indiana coach, Bob Knight, responded accordingly, in his own way. “He was swearing so much at his players that his assistants had to remind him where he was,” Akina said. “But all he responded with was, ‘I don’t care where I am!’”

Pickard, however, said the impact of the program was much larger than just those memories. “It brought the community together in support of the program.” He added the community united behind the program and encouraged camaraderie, and soon, no one could fit into the McKay Gym. Thus, he said, the Cannon Activities Center was born.

“Everyone had a hand in our history. We felt we were truly fulfilling prophecy,” Pickard said. “The Cannon Center was a sign of progress for the program.” He recalled after the center was dedicated by President Spencer W. Kimball, Kimball came to a game, and visited with the team prior to the game.

Akina recalled a time when President Kimball visited campus that for him was personal. “I remember President Kimball gave me a hug and then he told me, ‘Go for your dreams.’ I couldn’t help but get emotional,” he said. “When he left, two players I recruited who were not members said they felt something they never did before.”

Akina added, “Just knowing the vision of the school for every individual who came to the program and was able to accomplish great things is amazing.” He added he saw the BYUH experience touch those he recruited, even those who were not members, before arriving. “To see those who I recruited now as either strong members of the Church or those who understood what it meant to be at BYU–Hawaii, it makes me feel happy for them,” he said. “Keeping in touch with them, you can feel the spirit of this school in them.” •

Left: Pickard said the Cannon Activities Center was a sign of progress for the BYUH sports program. Pictured sitting on the sidelines are Coach Ken Wagner and Akana. Photo provided by the Akana family.

Below: Akana said he can feel the school spirit in the former BYUH players. Photo provided by the BYUH Archives.